"He's a real athlete and really can stop and move, and he's a horse that seems to be pretty cowy," said Galyean, using the term for being very gifted with a knack for reading a testy cow.

It also was tough to earn a big score in the non-pro finals. After the field of 20 horses had worked, Ray Baldwin of Fort Worth and a mare named Shesa Hollywoodcat clinched the title after turning in a 216.5.

Baldwin, who earned $28,355, said he thrived on a dependable horse.

"She's just got so much integrity," he said. "When she works a cow, she's very explosive. When I put my hand down and she begins working, she has so much intensity."

College rodeo update

Texas Tech's women's rodeo team has qualified for the 2013 College National Finals.

The Lady Raiders advanced to the CNFR, which is scheduled for June 9-15 in Casper, Wyo., as the result of finishing second in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Southwest Region.

Texas Tech finished runner-up after competing in the Tarleton State Rodeo last weekend in Stephenville, which was the 10th show for 2012-2013. From there, the region's top two teams, and the top three competitors in each single event, will move onto the Casper championships.

Tarleton State clinched the regional women's team title after earning 2,730 points in 10 rodeos. Texas Tech earned 1,761.

In the men's team race, Tarleton finished No. 1 after earning 5,845 points. Odessa College came in second with 4,046.

PBR update

Joao Ricardo Vieira, a rookie from Brazil, won the Professional Bull Riders' tour stop last weekend in Des Moines, Iowa, and earned $47,115. He ranks fourth in the world standings with 4,836.54 points. Shane Proctor is No. l with 5,199.27.

Into the Hall

RodeoHouston was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame last weekend in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Two-time world steer roping champion Roy "Tuffy" Thompson of Happy was also honored.

Steer roping update

J.P. Wickett of Sallisaw, Okla., won the PRCA's Chute Help National Circuit Finals Steer Roping last weekend in Torrington, Wyo. He earned $8,352.

Ranchers in Abilene

The 29th Western Heritage Classic, which features a ranch rodeo, is scheduled for May 9-11 in Abilene. For more information, visit westernheritageclassic.com.

Brett Hoffman, a Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame member, has written a rodeo column for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram over the past quarter century. Email him at brett@myrodeoinsider.com.